"But less than a minute later, referee Alex Moore announced that it was an incompletion. Likely had the ball punched out by Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. before he made a third step in the end zone. NFL vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth explained in a pool report Sunday that the third step is "an act common to the game" and needed to be completed in order for it to be ruled a touchdown."
"According to Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3, a forward pass is complete when a player secures control of the ball, touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands and after he "clearly performs any act common to the game (e.g., extend the ball forward, take an additional step, tuck the ball away and turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.""
Ravens coach John Harbaugh sought clarification of the NFL catch rule after Isaiah Likely's potential go-ahead touchdown was overturned late in a 27-22 loss to the Steelers. Referees initially ruled a touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Lamar Jackson, but replay review reversed the call after Joey Porter Jr. punched the ball out before Likely completed a third step in the end zone. NFL instant-replay VP Mark Butterworth said the third step is "an act common to the game" that must be completed. Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 defines completion as control plus performing an act common to the game. Harbaugh contacted the league and spoke with Perry Fewell.
Read at ESPN.com
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